Wentzville event budget keeps expanding despite city taking losses

(KMOV.com) – Wentzville residents have had plenty of activities to keep them entertained over the past few years. Free concerts, movies and Easter egg hunts have all been offered to residents, but the taxpayers are picking up the tab year after year.

With many families forced to limit entertainment because they’re tightening budgets, some wonder how the city budget for parties continues to expand.

“It just keeps going up,” said Board of Aldermen President Rick Stokes. “In 2013 the budget is now up to $83,000.”

That money is set aside for public events; many of which free of charge and low on return. Last year the city fronted $42,000 for one festival and only made $29,000 back, leaving the taxpayers to eat up the remaining $18,000.

Stokes blames a bad economy forcing businesses to hold back on sponsorships and admits to some poor planning on the city’s part, but for now the board isn’t cutting any events for 2013.